Microsoft Demos 'Windows 8' at D9 Conference

Microsoft showed off "Windows 8," the codename for its newest operating system, on Wednesday evening at the D9 Conference, which took place this week in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

OEMs and device manufacturers at this week's Computex show in Taipei also got a peek at Windows 8 on Thursday from Mike Angiulo, Microsoft's corporate vice president of Windows planning hardware and PC ecosystem (see related: "Microsoft Gives Hardware Partners the Limelight at Computex"). However, Microsoft's hardware partners have likely been apprised of the new OS for the last two years.

Windows 8's UI could be considered a radical departure from Microsoft's Windows roots, although it's not completely unfamiliar: The UI looks a lot like the tile-based interface on Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 mobile OS. Windows 8 does away with the familiar Start button. Instead, users get a start screen with so-called "live tiles" that show updated information from running apps. One of the tiles connects to a store to get apps.

The new OS will support applications that currently run on Windows 7, and users will see that same familiar Windows 7 interface for those apps. In addition, Microsoft is pushing a new paradigm for Windows 8 apps, which can be built based on HTML 5 and JavaScript. Those Windows 8 applications will be optimized for a touchscreen UI, and other sensors in devices, although keyboard and mouse inputs will also work, according to Microsoft. Forrester Research analyst Sarah Rotman Epps describes this approach as a "touch first" emphasis for developers. Windows 7 supports touch, but it lags somewhat in current tablet designs, she indicated.

In a press release, Microsoft described new libraries and controls for developers "designed for fluid interaction and seamless connectivity." For instance, the file picker control can be used to get info from an independent software vendor's application or from another Windows 8 application, and also tap the "local file system and the network."

Microsoft also announced on Wednesday that it has created a new BUILD developer conference, scheduled for Sept. 13-16 this year in Anaheim, Calif. BUILD will supersede Microsoft's traditional Professional Developers Conference, according to veteran Microsoft reporter Mary-Jo Foley.

Steven Sinofsky, president of Microsoft's Windows and Windows Live Division, told All Things Digital reporter Ina Fried that Microsoft had been planning the new OS ever since Windows 7's completion in July 2009 and that Microsoft was "influenced" by mobile phones in creating Windows 8. Sinofsky, along with Julie Larson-Green, corporate vice president for the Windows experience, told D9 hosts and journalists Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher that Windows 8 represents the biggest Windows change since Windows 95, according to a transcript.

As noted in January at the Computer Electronics Show, Microsoft has designed Windows 8 to run on system-on-chip architectures, including x86 (AMD, Intel) and ARM Holdings designs. Chip partners include AMD, Intel, Nvidia, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments. It's thought that Windows 8 on ARM chips will open up new possibilities for low-power devices with different form factors. However, it's not clear if current Windows 7 applications will be easily ported to the new ARM-based hardware. Intel last month raised questions on that point, but Microsoft objected that Intel's comments were inaccurate and misleading.

Microsoft has not yet said when Windows 8 will appear on the market. CEO Steve Ballmer dropped the year 2012 for Windows 8's release, but Microsoft spokespersons later characterized his comment as a "misstatement." Epps suggested that if Microsoft can get Windows 8 to market in 2012, it will "stave off defection from OEM partners to alternative operating systems, and from consumers and enterprises tempted by Apple's platform."

Microsoft's bloggers have just gotten started sending out additional information about Windows 8. For a summary thus far, check out this Microsoft blog. Information on Microsoft's new upcoming BUILD conference for developers can be found here, where registration is currently open.